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For over 20 years we followed the mental health of Trans and various sexes of Australians. And we were worried
Mar
Mental health of trans, non -wealthy and diverse sexes of Australians is worse than the general population, and the bay becomes wider.
Our fresh study, Recently published in BMJ Mental HealthIt shows that the gap has increased significantly since 2010, especially for juvenile people.
For the first time, the mental health of Trans, Nieębarnia and the varied sex Australians have long been followed with time using data representing the entire population.
This is why we are so concerned and what we can do to alleviate suffering.
What we did
We obtained information from the longest-operating population survey in Australia in households Study of household dynamics, income and work in Australia (Hilda). This survey contains questions about Sanitywhich we followed in 2001–2022.
From 2022, the Hilda survey contained questions about sexual identity. This allowed us to identify people who were trance (whose sexual identity is usually not associated with the sex assigned from birth), a non -inarium (which describe their sex outside the binary woman/male), diverse sex (whose gender identity differs from sex when assigning, including people who do not identify as a man or woman), or Cisgender (whose gender identifies biological in which they were attributed to them in birth).
So we were able to compare the mental health of the Australians who identified themselves as a trans, the irresistible or diverse sex with the health of the Australians who identified themselves as Cisgender.
What we found
During the 22 years of Trans, the non -wealthy and diverse sex of Australians consistently reported worse mental health than Australians Cisgender.
In the years 2001–2010 they scored five to seven points lower in mental health, which is a clinically significant difference.
In the years 2011–2022 the difference was even greater. Trans, non -overwhelming and various sexes Australians scored eight to 13 points lower than Australians Cisgender. We found that these growing differences in time were even greater for juvenile people (under 30 years venerable).
These trends remained even after controlling other features, such as household income, level of education and life in rural areas.
What is behind it?
Several studies and reports indicate what may be in favor of these differences in mental health.
Trans populations, optional and various sexes are more vulnerable Mark, discrimination, violence and others Human rights challengessuch as Refusal of healthcarecompared to the general population.
These experiences have deep and constant impact Sanity and health behaviors such as Searching for help to problems related to physical and mental health.
Exposure to anti-trans rhetoric and discrimination of trans, non -wealthy and diverse sexes of Australians increasing In recent years.
Trans populations, non -wealthy and diverse gender are more often experiencing Sex dysphoria – Mental stress that may arise when a person’s sexual identity is not in line with his sex assigned from birth.
Gender confirming medical care (for example, with adolescence, Hormone therapy or surgery) can aid Fighting gender dysphorias. However, many aspects of this care, especially surgery, are They are not financed at the moment in the public system in Australia. And not everyone has access to sex care, including youth who want to set up blockers in the Queensland public health system.
What can we do?
Improving the mental health of Trans, non -wealthy and gender requires urgent action at many levels, if we are to avoid destructive consequences for these Australians and their families.
1. Reduce the mark and discrimination
We need to reduce the mark and discrimination of trans, non -wealthy and diverse sexes of Australians. We know discrimination or mark directed at individual (including harassment or abuse) and wider structural discrimination (for example, through Rights and rules or wider community attitudes) affects the mental health of minority groups.
Governments must implement policies that protect against discrimination, including No harmful conversion practices in all states and territories. It has been shown that those practices that try to change or suppress the sexual identity of the person Permanent psychological damage.
Trans, the optional and various sexes also need legal protection in education, employment and healthcare to aid reduce and prevent the negative influence of discrimination and social exclusion on mental health.
2. Make the services enable services
Organizations controlled by the Trans community, non -wealthy and diverse sex should be properly financed to provide peer support, mental health services and training for other healthcare professionals.
Providing healthcare are Trained in providing safe and friendly services In the case of trance, non -wealthy and gender are necessary Turning to the barriers in the field of healthcare and improvement of health results.
3. More sex care
Expansion access to gender affirmation Care is also key to improving mental health. This includes a reduction in mental stress, Self -common AND Suicide attempts.
He must make joint efforts to depolititize this area of healthcare and recognize that sex confirming care is necessary, based on evidence, treatment.
We hope that National Health and Medical Research Council
Review of clinical guidelines In the case of sex confirming care in juvenile people, it will aid consolidate evidence and counteracting disinformation to ensure that trans, optional and varied sex Australians will receive the necessary care.
Trans, non -wealthy and diverse gender and organizations that represent them mentioned the article mentioned in this article. We also value the contribution of Ricki Spencer and Ian Down (Z LGBTIQ+ Health Australia).
If this article has raised problems for you or you are worried about someone you know, contact Qlife (Call 1800 184 527 or talk online, 15:00 – night, every day) or call Lifeline to number 13 11 14 (24 hours a day).
